Takedown Report

NIC officials refuse to explain reasons for firing wrestling coach

North Idaho College officials won’t explain why they would fire a three-time national champion coach of a wrestling team that is ranked No. 4 in the nation so late in the season. Midseason firings are rare, but sometimes occur after a team fails to perform. Idaho punted football coach Robb Akey in 2012 after the Vandals limped out to a 1-7 record. Florida canned former Eastern Washington quarterback Jim McElwain in 2017 after a 3-4 start as coach of the Gators. But former NIC wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb said he was fired for what he believes are his efforts to upgrade facilities for a disabled athlete, for speaking up for a co-worker who was assaulted on campus and because school leaders want to drop wrestling in favor of baseball.

If true, NIC would be cutting one of the most successful sports programs in the North Idaho and Spokane region. And that includes Gonzaga men’s basketball, which also is ranked No. 4 in the nation. “We are all extremely proud of Gonzaga basketball. A lot of people are responsible for that,” former NIC wrestling coach John Owen said. “I really believe everybody benefits from quality. I’ve got to believe that if NIC is winning national titles, it is an advantage to that school.”
Rest of the story at http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jan/23/nic-wrestling-coach-pat-whitcomb-claims-school-fir/?mc_cid=9d399d46d4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 30, 2019 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized